Berkeley, California (Tuesday, December 15, 2009) - The City of Berkeley Police Department (BPD) Homicide Detail is asking for the community’s help in closing its only remaining unsolved homicide for 2009.

At 11:29 p.m. on May 4, 2009, the BPD Communication Center received multiple calls from residents reporting shots fired in Southwest Berkeley. Officers responded to the 1300 block of 67th Street where they found the shooting victim, Maurice Robertson, 18, of Berkeley, lying in the rear yard of a residence. The Berkeley Fire Department Paramedics responded and pronounced the victim dead at the scene.

Detectives are looking to speak with someone they consider “a person of interest” who was seen by witnesses near the crime scene prior to the shooting. That person is described as:

Black male, 16-19 years old5'08" to 5'10" in height,Wearing an orange Northface-style windbreaker

On May 21, 2009 the City of Berkeley offered a $15,000 reward and Bay Area Crime Stoppers offered an additional $2,000 reward, for information leading to the arrest and conviction of the suspect(s) responsible for Robertson’s murder.

Detectives are asking for the community’s help in catching those responsible for this crime. Anyone with information can contact the BPD Homicide Detail at (51) 981-5741 (office) or (510) 981-5900 (non-emergency dispatch line). If callers wish to remain anonymous they are asked to call the Bay Area Crime Stoppers Tip Line at 1-800-222-TIPS (8477).